Collapsible storage basket

ABSTRACT

The collapsible storage basket contains two rigid longitudinal plates, two flexible lateral plates, a flexible first base plate connecting the lateral and longitudinal plates&#39; bottom rims, and a rigid second base plate stitched or adhered to a top side of the first base plate along a middle section of each of the second base plate&#39;s lateral edges. A rigid support plate is connected to the top rim of each lateral plate. To put the storage box to use, the longitudinal and lateral plates are raised and the two support plates are flipped inward so that their bottom rims are pressed against the second base plate. When the storage basket is not in use, the support plates are flipped outward and, by the flexibility of the two lateral plates, the longitudinal plates are folded inward. The storage basket then turns into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.

(a) TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to collapsible baskets, and moreparticular to a collapsible storage basket that could take shape easilyand folded into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.

(b) DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A conventional storage basket usually has a fixed structure made of woodor plastic and contains a number of compartments for storage separatedby partition plates. Due to its fixed structure, the conventionalstorage basket would take up considerable space when not in use andtherefore would be difficult to store or transport. Even though itusually could be disassembled, it requires re-assembly when it is put touse again, which is troublesome and laborious.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As such, a novel collapsible storage basket is provided herein. Thestorage basket would take shape by simple pulling and flipping and, whennot in use, could be collapsed into a flat shape for easy storage andtransportation, making its usage extremely convenient.

The collapsible storage basket contains two rigid longitudinal plates,two flexible lateral plates, a flexible first base plate connecting thelateral and longitudinal plates' bottom rims, and a rigid second baseplate stitched or adhered to a top side of the first base plate along amiddle section of each of the second base plate's lateral edges. A rigidsupport plate is connected to the top rim of each lateral plate. To putthe storage box to use, the longitudinal and lateral plates are raisedand the two support plates are flipped inward so that their bottom rimsare pressed against the second base plate, thereby forming a storageroom for various objects. When the storage basket is not in use, thesupport plates are flipped outward and, by the flexibility of the twolateral plates, the longitudinal plates are folded inward. The storagebasket then turns into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.

The two rigid longitudinal plates and the two rigid support plates aremade by wrapping flexible cloth around rigid objects such as cardboards.

The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introductionto the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects ofthe present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detaileddescription of the invention and the claims should be read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specificationand drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similarparts.

Many other advantages and features of the present invention will becomemanifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to thedetailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which apreferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of thepresent invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram showing a collapsible storage basketaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the collapsiblestorage basket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially exposed schematic diagram showing the internal ofa longitudinal plate of the storage basket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram showing the storage basket of FIG. 1when it is put to use.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective diagrams showing the scenario ofcollapsing the storage basket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram showing a collapsible storage basketaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the collapsiblestorage basket of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a profile schematic diagram showing the collapsible storagebasket of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram showing the internalof a support plate of the storage basket of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a perspective diagram showing a collapsible storage basketaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the collapsiblestorage basket of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective diagram showing a collapsible storage basketaccording to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are notintended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of theinvention in any way. Rather, the following description provides aconvenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of theinvention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made inthe function and arrangement of the elements described without departingfrom the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a collapsible storage basket according to afirst embodiment of the present invention contains two rigidlongitudinal plates 1, two flexible lateral plates 2, and a flexiblefirst base plate 3 connecting the bottom rims of the lateral andlongitudinal plates 1 and 2. A rigid second base plate 4 is stitched oradhered to a top side of the first base plate 3 along a middle sectionof each of the second base plate 4's lateral edges. The rest of thecircumference of the second base plate 4 is freely detachable from thefirst base plate 3.

A rigid support plate 5 is connected to the top rim of each lateralplate 2. The two rigid longitudinal plates 1 and the two rigid supportplates 5, in the present embodiment, are made by wrapping flexible cloth12, 52 around rigid objects such as cardboards 11, 51 for enhancedappearance. The flexible lateral plates 2 and the first base plate 3 aremade of a flexible material such as cloth.

With the foregoing arrangement, a collapsible storage basket isachieved. To put to use, the longitudinal and lateral plates 1 and 2 areraised and the two support plates 5 are flipped inward so that theirbottom rims are pressed against the second base plate 4, thereby forminga storage room for various objects. When the storage basket is not inuse, the support plates 5 are flipped outward and, by the flexibility ofthe two lateral plates 2, the longitudinal plates 1 are folded inward.The storage basket then turns into a flat shape for easy storage andtransportation.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the longitudinal and lateral plates 1 and 2 arepulled upward, the support plates 5 are flipped inward and the secondbase plate 4 provides support to and presses against the bottom rims ofthe longitudinal and lateral plates 1 and 2, and the support plates 5,thereby forming a stable and reliable storage room where various objectscould be stored.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the storage basket is not in use, thesupport plates 5 are flipped outward and the longitudinal plates 1 couldbe closed inward as the lateral plates 2 are flexible and could bewrinkled. When the longitudinal plates 1 are closed inward, since thesecond base plate 4 is only stitched or adhered along a middle sectionof its lateral edges, the second base plate 4 is raised upward and thestorage basket is collapsed into a flat shape. The two support plates 5are then closed and stacked on top of the second base plate 4.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a collapsible storage basket according to asecond embodiment of the present invention contains two rigidlongitudinal plates 1, two flexible lateral plates 2, a flexible firstbase plate 3 connecting the bottom rims of the lateral and longitudinalplates 1 and 2, and a flexible top cover plate 6 connecting the top rimsof the lateral and longitudinal plates 1 and 2. An opening 13 isconfigured in one of the longitudinal plates 1 and a side cover plate 14is connected to the longitudinal plate 1 along the top edge of theopening 13. Corresponding fastening elements 16 and 15 on thelongitudinal plate 1 along the bottom edge of the opening 13 and theside cover plate 14, respectively, so as to fix the side cover plate 14when it seals the opening 13. A rigid second base plate 4 is stitched oradhered to a top side of the first base plate 3 along a middle sectionof each of the second base plate 4's lateral edges. The rest of thecircumference of the second base plate 4 is freely detachable from thefirst base plate 3. A rigid support plate 5 is connected to the top rimof each lateral plate 2. In turn, a flexible extension 53 is extendedfor an appropriate length from the top rim of each support plate 5.

With the foregoing arrangement, a collapsible shoe box is achieved. Touse the shoe box, the longitudinal and lateral plates 1 and 2 are pulledupward and, by threading hand into the box through the opening 13, thesupport plates 5 are flipped downward to attach to the inner sides ofthe lateral plates 2 and the second base plate 4 provides support to andpresses against the bottom rims of the longitudinal plates 1 and theextensions 53 of the support plates 5, thereby forming a stable storageroom where shoes could be placed inside through the opening 13. By thefastening elements 15 and 16, the opening 13 is reliably sealed by theside cover plate 14. When the shoe box is not in use, the side coverplate 14 is opened and, by threading hand through the opening 13 inside,the support plates 5 are flipped upward and the longitudinal plates 1could be closed inward as the lateral plates 2 are flexible and could bewrinkled. When the longitudinal plates 1 are closed inward, since thesecond base plate 4 is only stitched or adhered along a middle sectionof its lateral edges, the second base plate 4 is raised upward and thestorage basket is collapsed into a flat shape. The two support plates 5are then closed and stacked on top of the second base plate 4.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the support plates 5 are formed by wrappingflexible cloth 52 around rigid cardboards 51 and the cloth 52 areextended to form the extensions 53. When the support plates 5 areflipped downward, the extensions are inserted beneath the second baseplate 4 while the top rims of the support plates 5 are pressed by thesecond base plate 4. As such, the collapsible shoe box is more solid andis prevented from shaking or inclining.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a collapsible storage basket according to athird embodiment of the present invention contains two rigidlongitudinal plates 1, two flexible lateral plates 2, a rigid first baseplate 3 connecting the bottom rims of the lateral and longitudinalplates 1 and 2, and a rigid top cover plate 6 connecting the top rims ofthe lateral and longitudinal plates 1 and 2. An opening 13 is configuredin one of the longitudinal plates 1 and a side cover plate 14 isconnected to the longitudinal plate 1 along the top edge of the opening13. A second base plate 4 has a longitudinal edge connected to a top rimof the longitudinal plate 1 opposite to the opening 13. The second baseplate 4 could be bended along a longitudinal line 41. A rigid supportplate 5 is connected to the top rim of each lateral plate 2.

With the foregoing arrangement, a collapsible shoe box is achieved. Touse the shoe box, the longitudinal and lateral plates 1 and 2 are pulledupward and, by threading hand into the box through the opening 13, thesupport plates 5 are flipped downward and the second base plate 4 ispushed inward into a L shape supporting a longitudinal plate 1 and thefirst base plate 3, thereby forming a stable storage room where shoescould be placed inside through the opening 13 and sealed by the sidecover plate 14. When the shoe box is not in use, the side cover plate 14is opened and, by threading hand through the opening 13 inside, thesupport plates 5 are flipped upward and the second base plate 4 ispulled outward. As the lateral plates 2 are flexible, they are foldedinward and the two support plates 5 are then closed and stacked, turningthe shoe box into a flat shape.

As shown in FIG. 13, a collapsible storage basket according to a fourthembodiment is an enlarged version of the previous embodiment shown inFIGS. 11 and 12 with the side cover plate 14 removed and the opening 13facing upward. As such, it is a storage box of a different style.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown anddescribed and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intendedto be limited to the details above, since it will be understood thatvarious omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the formsand details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be madeby those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spiritof the present invention.

1. A collapsible storage basket, comprising: two rigid longitudinalplates; two flexible lateral plates; a flexible first base plateconnecting the bottom rims of said lateral and longitudinal plates; arigid second base plate on top of said first base plate partially fixedto said first base plate along a middle section of each of said secondbase plate's lateral edges, leaving the rest of the circumference ofsaid second base plate freely detachable from said first base plate; andtwo rigid support plates connected to the top rims of said lateralplates, respectively; wherein, to use said collapsible storage basket,said longitudinal and lateral plates are pulled upward and said supportplates are flipped inward so that the bottom rims of said longitudinalplates and said support plates are pressed against said second baseplate, thereby forming a storage room for various objects; and, whensaid collapsible storage basket is not in use, said support plates areflipped outward and, by the flexibility of said two lateral plates, saidlongitudinal plates are folded inward and said support plates areflipped inward and stacked so that said collapsible storage basket turnsinto a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.
 2. Thecollapsible storage basket according to claim 1, wherein said secondbase plate is fixed to said first base plate by stitching or adhesion.3. The collapsible storage basket according to claim 1, wherein saidflexible lateral plates and said first base plate are made of cloth. 4.The collapsible storage basket according to claim 1, wherein each ofsaid two rigid longitudinal plates and said two support plates is madeby wrapping flexible cloth around rigid objects.
 5. A collapsiblestorage basket, comprising: two rigid longitudinal plates where one ofsaid longitudinal plates has an opening and a side cover plateconnecting said longitudinal plate along the top edge of said opening;two flexible lateral plates; a flexible first base plate connecting thebottom rims of said lateral and longitudinal plates; a flexible topcover plate connecting the top rims of said lateral and longitudinalplates; a rigid second base plate on top of said first base platepartially fixed to said first base plate along a middle section of eachof said second base plate's lateral edges, leaving the rest of thecircumference of said second base plate freely detachable from saidfirst base plate; and two rigid support plates connected to the top rimsof said lateral plates, respectively; wherein, to use said collapsiblestorage basket, said longitudinal and lateral plates are pulled upwardand said support plates are flipped inward so that the bottom rims ofsaid longitudinal plates and said support plates are pressed againstsaid second base plate, thereby forming a storage room for variousobjects; and, when said collapsible storage basket is not in use, saidsupport plates are flipped outward and, by the flexibility of said twolateral plates, said longitudinal plates are folded inward and saidsupport plates are flipped inward and stacked so that said collapsiblestorage basket turns into a flat shape for easy storage andtransportation.
 6. The collapsible storage basket according to claim 5,wherein corresponding fastening elements are provided on saidlongitudinal plate along the bottom edge of said opening and said sidecover plate, respectively, so as to fix said side cover plate when itseals said opening.
 7. The collapsible storage basket according to claim5, wherein two flexible extensions are extended from the top rims ofsaid support plates, respectively; when said support plates are flippeddownward, said extensions are inserted beneath said second base platewhile the top rims of said support plates are pressed by said secondbase plate; and, as such, said collapsible shoe box is more solid and isprevented from shaking or inclining.
 8. A collapsible storage basket,comprising: two rigid longitudinal plates where one of said longitudinalplates has an opening and a side cover plate connecting saidlongitudinal plate along the top edge of said opening; two flexiblelateral plates; a rigid first base plate connecting the bottom rims ofsaid lateral and longitudinal plates; a rigid top cover plate connectingthe top rims of said lateral and longitudinal plates; a second baseplate having a longitudinal edge connected to the top rim of alongitudinal plate opposite to said opening, said second base platebendable along a longitudinal line; and two rigid support platesconnected to the top rims of said lateral plates, respectively; wherein,to use said collapsible storage basket, said longitudinal and lateralplates are pulled upward and said support plates are flipped inward andsaid second base plate is pushed inward into a L shape supporting alongitudinal plate and said first base plate, thereby forming a stablestorage room where objects could be placed inside through said openingand sealed by said side cover plate; when said storage basket is not inuse, said side cover plate is opened and said support plates are flippedupward and said second base plate is pulled outward; and, as saidlateral plates are flexible and folded inward, said support plates arethen closed and stacked, turning said storage basket into a flat shape.